An incident, seemingly involving a UTEP supporter lifting a chair during a heated exchange with Jacksonville State players on Saturday, is slated for investigation by The University of Texas-El Paso, Jacksonville State, and Conference USA.
Moments after Jacksonville State secured victory in its final regular season match at UTEP with a game-winning shot by Mostapha El Moutaouakkil, a spectator in the crowd seized a seat, brandished it menacingly at Jacksonville State players and personnel, and shouted at them during the customary post-match greeting. Jacksonville State athletes required restraint from their staffers following the supporter’s action.
Josh Yonis, a representative for Conference USA, stated that CUSA is probing the events following the game.
“We are examining the occurrence alongside both [sports directors], yet we are not releasing a declaration currently,” he informed ESPN.
Jim Senter, UTEP’s sports director, likewise mentioned that the institution is looking into the occurrence.
“We intend to examine the footage once we obtain it,” he declared in a statement. “We will implement suitable measures if required.”
Jacksonville State informed ESPN it would “yield” to Conference USA regarding a statement.
Both Jacksonville State staff members and local law enforcement intervened in the commotion as the supporter holding the seat persisted in shouting at the athletes. Additional footage depicted other UTEP fans seemingly engaging in verbal altercations with Jacksonville State players subsequent to their victory.
This marked not the initial occasion lately that UTEP had been central to an eventful conclusion concerning a post-game greeting.
Subsequent to a defeat at New Mexico State on Feb. 21, UTEP head coach Joe Golding confronted NMSU head coach Jason Hooten face-to-face in the handshake line, lightly struck the rival coach’s chest, and nudged him away before both squads gathered and an altercation almost erupted.
On Saturday, venue security at UTEP established a barrier post-game to establish a divide between unruly UTEP supporters and Jacksonville State players and personnel. At a certain juncture, UTEP personnel and athletes guided their squad to their changing area, and Jacksonville State staffers replicated the action with their own squad.
As per the telecast, the interaction between UTEP supporters and Jacksonville State had been ongoing during the entire match.